Lowry withdraws from USA Basketball tryouts

Kyle Lowry of the NBA champion Toronto Raptors has withdrawn from the pool of candidates USA Basketball is considering to take to the FIBA World Cup later this month.

Lowry said his surgically repaired thumb isn't ready to allow him to participate in on-court workouts. He had surgery last month to repair a torn tendon that dogged him during t he NBA playoffs, and was hopeful of being on the floor as early as Tuesday when the Americans resume practice in El Segundo, California.

But after meeting with his surgeon on Monday, Lowry apparently realized he wasn't going to be able to play.

Lowry's decision means 15 players are still in the running for 12 spots and one of those 15, Boston guard Marcus Smart, missed much of last week's camp in Las Vegas with a calf injury